WHEREAS, Howard McCall, Sr. played a key role in securing the land at 30th and Jefferson Streets for a playground and recreation center after years of organizing sports for the youth of neighboring Corlies Street, including founding and coaching the street’s first little league baseball team, the North Corlies Street Falcons; and
WHEREAS, Howard McCall, Sr. was more than a coach, but both a mentor and father-figure for the children of Corlies Street, organizing cookouts on the block, planning fishing trips and securing tickets to baseball games at Connie Mack Stadium, eventually becoming known as the “Father of the Corlies Street Block”; and
WHEREAS, Howard McCall, Sr. worked as a Traffic Engineer for the City of Philadelphia for over 20 years, then served as union president of the Highway Local 403 of AFSCME District Council 33, using his connections to expose the neighborhood youth to City-sponsored programs and summer job opportunities to ultimately help them get jobs with the City; and
WHEREAS, Howard McCall, Sr. will long be remembered for his civic engagement, public service and the emphasis he placed on guiding and mentoring youth to set a good example and show them a world outside of their neighborhoods, a legacy that continues in the lives of his mentees today; now, therefore
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The 30th and Jefferson Playground is hereby renamed and dedicated as the “Howard McCall, Sr. Playground.”
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
End